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Date’s messy house and not my style

221 replies

lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 00:19

We are still early on and it was my first time at his house. He divorced a few years ago and stayed in the house they lived in together with his ex-wife. No children. He is lovely and I like him a lot. The house is amazing location and size-wise. And it’s relatively clean, because he has a cleaning lady coming once a week. But it’s messy to my standards. It looks like a single man’s flat x5. Nothing horrible, but I'm quite an organised person, and it’s very below my standards or what I’m used to. Also, I don't particularly fancy some furniture and style. It’s his house and his choice - no judgment, but I'm thinking how I would take it long-term.

Does it change if men are in relationship? I don’t think I ever faced this kind of a situation. I don’t think I can or should address it, but what would your strategy be in this case? I had a previous history of moving in with a man who was very controlling over how things go in his house. Don't want to repeat it.

OP posts:
lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 03:58

@TheClaaaw honestly, I’m not here to argue, I’m here to get other women’s perspective. You’ve been nothing but mean to me and you completely don’t understand the terms that you use. Nothing that I said is a definition of cognitive dissonance. It’s just ridiculous. And I never said I have any demands on how someone else’s house should look. Did you read my post at all? You do have confirmation bias in my opinion because for some reason you see in my post what you want to see, not what I say. You have your own opinion on topic that is somehow relevant to what I asked and without even reading what I said you make your judgements. And you are just trying to find confirmation of your beliefs in what I write even if I say the opposite.

OP posts:
pollyglot · 06/09/2025 03:56

Well said, @TheClaaaw ! I appreciate your explanation...It's Saturday afternoon here, i've had a (very) large G&T so quite understand your thinking...
Kia kaha ehoa
x

TheClaaaw · 06/09/2025 03:50

pollyglot · 06/09/2025 03:40

heClaaaw · Today 03:32

pollyglot · Today 03:23
lostinbigcity · Today 03:21
TheClaaaw · Today 02:42
Have you ever heard of “cognitive dissonance”?
Also, ** did you mean confirmation bias? I really can’t understand how cognitive dissonance can be relevant to any part of this discussion. I can help you with the theoretical part of you are struggling.
(Snigger). Q.E.D., I believe.
Edited
Errrr…. No.
My post was a response to the (quoted) comment from the OP stating “I think I had a very unfortunate experience with a person who was very rigid about the way his house was supposed to look”.
Given that she’s just posted an entire thread about her very rigid demands about how another person’s house should look, this is the definition of cognitive dissonance.
How embarrassing that she attempted to correct another me when “confirmation bias” is not remotely relevant and that your reading comprehension is so poor that you have embarrassed yourself by agreeing with her ignorance and apparently “sniggered” about your own incapacity to understand English.

You have completely misunderstood my meaning, @TheClaaaw.

Did you not read my comment about the Academic Snobbery Brigade? The (snigger) and Q.E.D. were in reference to the reinforcement of my comment. In no manner was I being derogatory to you, and such vehemence in your eagerness to denigrate me has somewhat altered my perspective of you.

Sheeeeze, mate.

My apologies. It’s been a very long day today. I have made myself laugh now with my comment to you about reading comprehension then totally misunderstanding your posts due to lazy skim reading. Mea culpa!

With the OP’s comedy and my own contribution in response to you the thread is descending into quite an amusing level of farce almost worthy of a comedy script. Perhaps this was the OP’s intention (we must hope, for the sake of the man involved, that he is merely an amusing fiction for very late on a Friday night).

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 06/09/2025 03:47

I would also say (further to my message above) that the best 'tidy / clean' balanced guy I lived with I had to leave due to infidelity. (Still don't regret living with him on housemate terms)

one I dated but didn't live with was extremely rigid in his lifestyle - fitness, clean living and totally minimal house - was ultimately too unbearable for me.

my DH was messy when I met him. Thought over time he would improve. That didn't happen. I wish he was tidier / cleaner / more proactive although luckily for him he has other qualities which go in his favour.

I guess I have seen all sides and made my choices each time. Tidiness, cleanliness and individual style isn't the be all and end all but agree it can tell you a lot about a person and your long term compatibility and don't think you are unreasonable to consider this against other factors. 🤷‍♀️

TeaAndTattoos · 06/09/2025 03:45

lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 02:10

Do I get it right: in your opinion, I shouldn't care what his place looks like until he invites me to move in (interesting dynamic and I think I can smell misogyny here, because in my opinion a couple should discuss it, not wait for invitation, but I’m happy to be wrong), and after that I can like it or not and if I don’t - tough luck and another thread on mumsnet. Correct?

before you start picking out decor and deciding how you would decorate someone else’s home have you ever stopped to think that he may not ever want to live with anyone else after 1 failed marriage he may be happier you living in your home (decorated the way you want) and him living in his home. That of course is only if your relationship gets that far maybe just slow your roll a bit.

TheClaaaw · 06/09/2025 03:42

Walkden · 06/09/2025 03:16

"I had a previous history of moving in with a man who was very controlling over how things go in his house. Don't want to repeat it."

  1. Why not just continue to live separately and live in your own houses for now?
  2. Ultimately could you not look to sell both houses and buy one together, in which case you can decide on decor etc together?

She’s just been to his house for the first time. They’ve only just started dating and are pretty much strangers still based on her posts.

I expect he’d run very far away if he realised that she was already getting stressed about whether he will be amenable to her preferences for furnishings for their joint home to the extent that she posted a thread about it on the internet. 🤣

pollyglot · 06/09/2025 03:40

heClaaaw · Today 03:32

pollyglot · Today 03:23
lostinbigcity · Today 03:21
TheClaaaw · Today 02:42
Have you ever heard of “cognitive dissonance”?
Also, ** did you mean confirmation bias? I really can’t understand how cognitive dissonance can be relevant to any part of this discussion. I can help you with the theoretical part of you are struggling.
(Snigger). Q.E.D., I believe.
Edited
Errrr…. No.
My post was a response to the (quoted) comment from the OP stating “I think I had a very unfortunate experience with a person who was very rigid about the way his house was supposed to look”.
Given that she’s just posted an entire thread about her very rigid demands about how another person’s house should look, this is the definition of cognitive dissonance.
How embarrassing that she attempted to correct another me when “confirmation bias” is not remotely relevant and that your reading comprehension is so poor that you have embarrassed yourself by agreeing with her ignorance and apparently “sniggered” about your own incapacity to understand English.

You have completely misunderstood my meaning, @TheClaaaw.

Did you not read my comment about the Academic Snobbery Brigade? The (snigger) and Q.E.D. were in reference to the reinforcement of my comment. In no manner was I being derogatory to you, and such vehemence in your eagerness to denigrate me has somewhat altered my perspective of you.

Sheeeeze, mate.

TheClaaaw · 06/09/2025 03:36

lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 03:33

  1. I found it out after we moved in together. He has been abusive in many other things, so it was rather a string to pull for him.
  2. Unfortunately it was not an option.

Perhaps you should stop trying to move in with, or envisage moving in with, every man you date for a few weeks?

Summerlilly · 06/09/2025 03:34

So your ex was physically and emotionally abusive and you are worried about this lads house!?
I think you should be more concerned about repeating past traumas and looking for coercive control behaviours.

Have you sought therapy over your ex? You yourself sound very anxious and controlling which is not an unusual trauma response.

His house being a bit messy or not to your taste is not a red flag. He is a man and single one, they don’t usually give a shit.
If his house is a dealbreaker you may not be ready to date yet.

lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 03:33

Walkden · 06/09/2025 03:16

"I had a previous history of moving in with a man who was very controlling over how things go in his house. Don't want to repeat it."

  1. Why not just continue to live separately and live in your own houses for now?
  2. Ultimately could you not look to sell both houses and buy one together, in which case you can decide on decor etc together?
  1. I found it out after we moved in together. He has been abusive in many other things, so it was rather a string to pull for him.
  2. Unfortunately it was not an option.
OP posts:
TheClaaaw · 06/09/2025 03:32

pollyglot · 06/09/2025 03:23

lostinbigcity · Today 03:21

TheClaaaw · Today 02:42
Have you ever heard of “cognitive dissonance”?

Also, ** did you mean confirmation bias? I really can’t understand how cognitive dissonance can be relevant to any part of this discussion. I can help you with the theoretical part of you are struggling.

(Snigger). Q.E.D., I believe.

Edited

Errrr…. No.

My post was a response to the (quoted) comment from the OP stating “I think I had a very unfortunate experience with a person who was very rigid about the way his house was supposed to look”.

Given that she’s just posted an entire thread about her very rigid demands about how another person’s house should look, this is the definition of cognitive dissonance.

How embarrassing that she attempted to correct me when “confirmation bias” is not remotely relevant and this demonstrates she doesn’t understand either term, and even more embarrassing that your reading comprehension is so poor that you have posted to agree with her lack of grasp of English and apparently “sniggered” like a school child about your joint incapacity.

QED, indeed.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 06/09/2025 03:31

I haven't read the full thread but think you are getting a hard time OP.
i remember one date where I first visited a potential partners house unexpectedly early (date 2) and it was shockingly filthy. I walked out and ended things pretty much straightaway as I couldn't face the idea of someone willing to live in absolute squalor. (And I would consider myself fairly chilled about cleanliness, tidiness and hygiene).

less extreme than this, in my time I have dated (and lived with) some very clean and tidy guys, and some who are messier. Each time, the way they lived when I met them, reflected how they were long term and in life. I definitely don't think it's a bad thing to consider longer term compatibility. Obviously there will always be a certain degree of compromise and negotiation if you do move in together, but it's unlikely someone will change hugely - even if you meet when young, and it's fair to say you don't want to turn into their mum nagging them to tidy or clean, or worst case scenario taking on the cleaning duties as you always want it cleaner / tidier than they do.

if you really like a potential partner / they like you, then there might be some flex on this but don't think you are wrong considering things in this way. Not sure why so many people took so strongly against what you said.

lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 03:28

@pollyglot 😂 My apologies. 🥂

OP posts:
TheClaaaw · 06/09/2025 03:26

lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 03:02

Oh, my dear, you really chose a wrong person to ask. Better google Attribute substitution bias. It will be much more useful.

Hilarious, but clearly misplaced I’m afraid, as your post evidences.

pollyglot · 06/09/2025 03:23

lostinbigcity · Today 03:21

TheClaaaw · Today 02:42
Have you ever heard of “cognitive dissonance”?

Also, ** did you mean confirmation bias? I really can’t understand how cognitive dissonance can be relevant to any part of this discussion. I can help you with the theoretical part of you are struggling.

(Snigger). Q.E.D., I believe.

lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 03:21

TheClaaaw · 06/09/2025 02:42

Have you ever heard of “cognitive dissonance”?

Also, @TheClaaaw did you mean confirmation bias? I really can’t understand how cognitive dissonance can be relevant to any part of this discussion. I can help you with the theoretical part of you are struggling.

OP posts:
pollyglot · 06/09/2025 03:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Walkden · 06/09/2025 03:16

"I had a previous history of moving in with a man who was very controlling over how things go in his house. Don't want to repeat it."

  1. Why not just continue to live separately and live in your own houses for now?
  2. Ultimately could you not look to sell both houses and buy one together, in which case you can decide on decor etc together?
Candy24 · 06/09/2025 03:09

hahahhaah he should absolutly run. You sound like your wanting to take his house out.lol Wonderful knowing their are crazy minds out there.

lostinbigcity · 06/09/2025 03:02

TheClaaaw · 06/09/2025 02:42

Have you ever heard of “cognitive dissonance”?

Oh, my dear, you really chose a wrong person to ask. Better google Attribute substitution bias. It will be much more useful.

OP posts:
RowanRed90 · 06/09/2025 02:57

Most men ime are indifferent about decor and happy to defer to his lady.

However, if you feel he has a particular taste in things that he is wedded to and unwilling to compromise on - then you are right to see this as a potential issue. Has he indicated this might be the case. Otherwise his decor is probably incidental and it hasn't had much thought.

RowanRed90 · 06/09/2025 02:54

Jellycatspyjamas · 06/09/2025 00:53

To get to know him, to enjoy his company, to have some fun and companionship?

Not fair to waste someone's or one's own time if not compatible and no future

zaazaazoom · 06/09/2025 02:54

My beautiful warm hearted, amazing father to my children, who provided well, amazing cook, lover, cleaner, diy expert, sound board, joke maker, often annoying but apologetic ball of loveliness....has fucking terrible taste in furniture. But 25 years that isn't the smallest of issues
That doesn't matter. Its irrelevant compared to the big stuff

catlover123456789 · 06/09/2025 02:53

I've only ever dated two guys who were tidy and both organised their CDs... one by alphabetical which was normal I guess, the other by colour. How do you find a cd based on colour? I preferred the messy ones. I know where I am with messy!!!
Anyway, don't worry about it. If you do move in, you'll probably want to buy your own furniture together. Don't judge a man on the state of his house (unless it's full of his dead grandmother's stuff, in which case: run).

PyongyangKipperbang · 06/09/2025 02:51

aurynne · 06/09/2025 02:32

Fucking hell, who left the reptile vivarium open today??

I find red flags about how a person chooses to live when they are single as valid as any other red flag. At this early stage OP is evaluating whether or not this person is worth dating. No matter how picky some women think she is being, this is the person who, potentially, she may choose to live with in the future. Of course the man will also be considering the issues which are important for him, which, obviously, in the case of a man are always life-changing, mature, considered reasons, such as whether her boobs are big enough or is she shaves her pubes.

OP, if some things about how he lives put you off, listen to your gut. If they already bother you now, they will bother you lots more if you end up being present in his place more often in the future.

I disagree.

I bought a dishwasher from a guy in the next village, must be 15 odd years ago now, and I was slightly taken aback about how his lounge was set up. Had to go through to get to the kitchen. The lounge was a sofa, a coffee table and a massive TV. That was it pretty much. His TV was connected to his laptop.

The male friend who was helping me, when I said that I wasnt surprised the seller was single, said "he is a guy living on his own, if he was living with someone else it wouldnt look like that". Thats what made me rethink.

We have our homes as we like them, and if we choose to share then of course we must compromise. But that comes further down the line. Dropping someone after a few dates because they are not the way one would like them to be is rather short sighted.

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